Page 79 - 86 human physiology part-2

Chapter 15

Aging

For most men, testosterone secretion continues throughout life, as does sperm production, though
both diminish with advancing age. Probably the most common reproductive problem for older men is
prostatic hypertropy, enlargement of the prostate gland. This causes the urethra to compress and
urination becomes difficult. Residual urine in the bladder increases the chance of urinary tract
infections. Prostate hypertrophy is usually benign, but cancer of the prostate is one of the more
common cancers in elderly men. A TURP is commonly used to correct this problem if the symptoms
do not improve in response to home treatment and medication.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is another common problem seen in aging males. In older men, ED
usually has a physical cause, such as disease, injury, or side effects of drugs. Any disorder that impairs
blood flow in the penis or causes injury to the nerves has the potential to cause ED. Although it is not
an inevitable part of aging, incidences increases with age: About 5 percent of 40-year-old men and
between 15 and 25 percent of 65-year-old men experience ED. As discouraging as Erectile dysfunction
may be, it is treatable at any age, and awareness of this fact has been growing. More men have been
seeking help and returning to normal sexual activity because of improved, successful treatments for
ED.

Things That Can Go Wrong With the Male Reproductive
System

Boys may sometimes experience reproductive system problems. Below are some examples of
disorders that affect the male reproductive system (Disorders of the Scrotum, Testicles, or Epididymis).
Conditions affecting the scrotal contents may involve the testicles, epididymis, or the scrotum itself.

• Testicular trauma. Even a mild injury to the testicles can cause severe pain, bruising, or
swelling. Most testicular injuries occur when the testicles are struck, hit, kicked, or crushed,
usually during sports or due to other trauma. Testicular torsion, when 1 of the testicles twists
around, cutting off the blood supply, is also a problem that some teen males experience -
although it's not common. Surgery is needed to untwist the cord and save the testicle.

• Varicocele. This is a varicose vein (an abnormally swollen vein) in the network of veins
that run from the testicles. Varicoceles commonly develop while a boy is going through
puberty. A varicocele is usually not harmful, although in some people it may damage the
testicle or decrease sperm production, so it helps for you to take your child to see his doctor if
he is concerned about changes in his testicles.

• Testicular cancer. This is one of the most common cancers in men younger than 40. It
occurs when cells in the testicle divide abnormally and form a tumor. Testicular cancer can
spread to other parts of the body, but if it's detected early, the cure rate is excellent. Teen boys
should be encouraged to learn to perform testicular self-examinations.

• Epididymitis is inflammation of the epididymis, the coiled tubes that connect the testes
with the vas deferens. It is usually caused by an infection, such as the sexually transmitted
disease chlamydia, and results in pain and swelling next to 1 of the testicles.

294 | Human Physiology